PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vicente Escalante (ranked 312 p4p, 1034 weight class) and Krisko Kurtev (ranked 43 p4p, 145 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Escalante
vs
Kurtev

183 cm
32
192
27 - 6 - 0

189 cm
36
193
27 - 31 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vicente Escalante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Daniel Blasius and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escalante looks to land a combination but Kurtev avoids it well.
Kurtev wants to clinch
letting Escalante counter with a right hand.
Kurtev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Escalante avoids it really well and circles away.
A clash of legs there as Kurtev blocks the low kick.
Kurtev fails with the takedown
and Escalante counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A big right from Escalante misses.
Kurtev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escalante manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kurtev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Escalante.
Kurtev wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escalante fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Escalante gets caught flat footed, as Kurtev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escalante seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escalante avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kurtev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Escalante managing to control the position.
Kurtev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Escalante is trying to control the position but Kurtev postures up.
Escalante utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kurtev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Escalante keeping moving, preventing Kurtev from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Escalante leaves Kurtev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vicente Escalante has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krisko Kurtev.
Kurtev tries to clinch up but Escalante circles away and keeps his distance.
Escalante circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kurtev throws a combination that misses
and Escalante counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kurtev's knee momentarily.

Kurtev has closed the distance and engaged Escalante in a clinch.
Escalante gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kurtev.
Escalante lands a damaging elbow.
Escalante lands a body shot in the clinch.
Escalante makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Escalante misses with an elbow over the top.
Kurtev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Escalante gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Kurtev gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Escalante pushes Kurtev off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Escalante as Kurtev shoots in.
Kurtev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kurtev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Escalante stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Escalante wants it to stay on the feet.
Kurtev wants to clinch but Escalante slips to the side

and Escalante counters with a nice right hand that sends Kurtev toppling to the canvas! Kurtev scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Escalante finish him?!

Kurtev is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurtev fails with a takedown attempt.
Kurtev is still on wobbly legs! Can Escalante finish him?
Kurtev looks winded!
Escalante thumps Kurtev with a low kick.
Kurtev seems to have recovered his senses.
Escalante circles away from the clinch attempt.

Kurtev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Escalante is controlling Kurtev's trapped leg to prevent Kurtev from advancing to side control.
Kurtev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante trying to hold on to Kurtev's head to control him but Kurtev postures up.
Kurtev is just content to waste time from the top position. Escalante takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kurtev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kurtev trying to control the position from guard on top but Escalante is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Escalante holds on and takes a little breather.
Kurtev lands a couple of digs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vicente Escalante dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kurtev tries to clinch but Escalante moves out of range.
Escalante throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kurtev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Vicente Escalante is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck for Kurtev with that takedown attempt.

Kurtev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Escalante on his heels. He'll look to pass Escalante's guard now, I'm sure.
Escalante looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kurtev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kurtev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kurtev is in close to Escalante's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escalante utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Escalante bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kurtev's guard.

Escalante is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kurtev can do to turn this around?
Kurtev trying to keep a closed guard but Escalante is proving a slippery customer.
Kurtev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Escalante gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kurtev with a poor takedown
enabling Escalante to counter with a crisp jab.
Kurtev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Escalante swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kurtev shoots in and bounces Escalante off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kurtev working some strikes from top position.
Kurtev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Escalante working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Escalante looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurtev is one step ahead there.
Escalante utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev throwing strikes from guard but Escalante blocks nicely.
Kurtev is looking to work some ground and pound but Escalante has wrist control.
Kurtev trying to control but Escalante is working from the bottom.
Kurtev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kurtev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kurtev wants to control from the top but Escalante keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escalante misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kurtev blocks a jab.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Escalante.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Escalante as he avoids it easily.
Vicente Escalante has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krisko Kurtev.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Escalante.
Escalante scores with a push kick.
Kurtev is breathing heavily.
Nice straight punches there by Escalante. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Escalante.
A telegraphed right hand from Escalante misses the target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kurtev is defended easily by Escalante.
Escalante misses with an attempted mid kick.

Kurtev drives through with a takedown into Escalante's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Escalante has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kurtev is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short body shot lands from Escalante as the two fighters clinch.

Escalante breaks the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Escalante. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Escalante.
Kurtev slips a jab from Escalante.
Kurtev tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kurtev goes for a double leg but Escalante avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Escalante continues to drive forward.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Escalante sprawls well. Escalante wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kurtev gets slowly back to his feet.

Kurtev scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Escalante preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Escalante slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vicente Escalante dominated that second round.
That's time! Escalante's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kurtev moves into the clinch.
Kurtev tries to score a body lock takedown but Escalante shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kurtev takes a shot to the head.
Escalante throws a head punch that misses.
Escalante fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Escalante is pressed up against the cage. Kurtev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Escalante down to the mat. Escalante avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kurtev doesn't manage to clinch there - Escalante circles away.
Kurtev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kurtev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Escalante.
Kurtev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kurtev fails with a takedown attempt.
Vicente Escalante has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krisko Kurtev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escalante tries to land a leg kick but Kurtev saw it coming and moves away.
Escalante buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Krisko Kurtev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kurtev.
It looked like Escalante wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kurtev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Escalante takes a swing at Kurtev's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
It looks like Escalante has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Kurtev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kurtev ducks under a wild hook from Escalante.
Kurtev tries to clinch but Escalante moves out of range.
Escalante thumps Kurtev with a low kick.
Escalante throws a looping overhand right but Kurtev ducks down to avoid it.
Kurtev follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Escalante throws a wild body kick that Kurtev sees coming a mile off.
Escalante stuffs the takedown attempt from Kurtev. Kurtev gets slowly back to his feet.
Kurtev moves in looking to clinch but Escalante pushes him off.
Kurtev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escalante manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kurtev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Escalante loads up on a big right hand but Kurtev slips the punch.
Escalante pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Escalante misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kurtev wants to counter with a clinch but Escalante pushes him away.
Kurtev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Escalante.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escalante connects with a jab.
Kurtev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escalante manages to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kurtev.
Vicente Escalante is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurtev fails with a takedown attempt.
Kurtev defending well as Escalante loads up on a big left hand.
Escalante tests Kurtev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Krisko Kurtev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurtev throws a head kick but Escalante moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Escalante.
Kurtev moves out of range as Escalante strikes.
Despite the aggression on Kurtev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kurtev moves in looking to clinch but Escalante pushes him off.
Escalante thuds his right hand into Kurtev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kurtev jabs Escalante right on the nose. Escalante blinks but takes it well.
Kurtev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Escalante counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Escalante digs a good body shot into Kurtev's ribs.
Escalante cracks Kurtev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Escalante lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Escalante scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Escalante scores with a kick to the body.

Escalante cracks Kurtev with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Kurtev looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Escalante finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escalante lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. Kurtev is looking to close the distance but Escalante sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! Kurtev crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope Kurtev is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Vicente Escalante!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Vicente Escalante waved his t-shirt featuring Brooklyn Apothecary's logo in front of the cameras.